Display device



J1me 1933 J. J. CRAIG 1,912,513

7 DISPLAY DEVICE Filed July 19, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l 35 I 7 174 2; O 1; (mm "H P l A uunnnumum 38- %2 56 :28 Fig.2.

111F511. as Joseph Jules Craig a um M June 6, 1933. J. J. CRAIG DISPLAY DEVICE Filed July 19, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ii i: 150

I -n- I gwuentoc Joseph Jules Craig Patented June 6, 1933 PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH JULE'S CRAIG, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN DISPLAY DEVICE Application filed July 19,

This invention relates to display devices, and more particularly it relates to display devices for use in store windows and the like and in which a toy object is caused to prescribe a circular path. 7

I am aware of a considerable number of display devices or toys for which patents have been granted and in which the toy is caused to prescribe a circular path. Many of these toys are of a complicated nature and will easily become out of order. Others are costly to manufacture and still are unsatisfactory. In practically all of the prior art devices the motor turns about with the toy.

r This not only makes for unreliability but necessitates the employment of complicated electric connections.

My invention is not only free from the dis zulvantages of these prior art devices, but it has all of the advantages which emanate from its simple construction.

One object of my invention is the provision of a display device in which a toy figure is driven by a stationary motor so as to prescribe a circular path about the motor.

Another object is to provide a device in which a toy, prescribing a circular path about a central motor, is caused to turn around in its path when the motor is reversed.

The invention has for another object the provision of a novel universal connection between the motor and the drive shaft for the toy.

A further object resides in the simplicity and arrangement of the parts and particularly of the motor commutator, armature, and brush holders, whereby the device may be easily and inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

Still further objects will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of the device. the side of the casing having been removed to disclose the motor and the connections to the driving shaft for the toys.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the invention, the top of the casing having been removed to 1932. Serial No. 623,445.

disclose the motor and the driving connections.

F ig. 3 is a side elevation of a reversible truck toy which may be used with the display device.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the truck shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the truck shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5A is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line AA of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is an elevation view of one of the, toys which may be used with the display device, portions of the same being broken away on the line 66 of Fig. 7 to show the driving gears.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the toy shown in Fig. 6, the back of the horse being cut away on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an elevation View of a toy tractor which may be used with the display device.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the toy tractor .shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail bottom plan View of the shaft support as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail side view of the shaft support as shown in Fig. 8.

I F 1g. 12 is a compound plan view of the insulator, pole segment, and assembled commutator used in my novel motor.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the cable containing base member.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of my novel armature before the windings are placed thereon, and,

F 15 is an enlarged fragi'nentary perspective view of the novel brush holder used 7 in my motor.

The display device broadly is comprised of a stationary motor, a shaft connected to toy, and means connecting the motor and the shaft to turn the latter for operating the toy to cause it to travel in a circular path about the motor. The arrangement is very compact and light in weight and may be used in store windows or other suitable places to attract attention. Since it may be so inexpensively manufactured, it may also be used as a toy.

Generally speaking, the arrangement consists of a base 2, a motor 4, a toy 6, and a drive shaft 8 adapted to be turned through a universal drive so as to operate the toy. The motor is within the casing 10.

The device rests on the base 2- which is T-shaped and is comprised of a cross portion 16 and a cable enclosing portion 1a on the free end of which is positioned the operating switch.

Secured to the base at 18 and 20 by rivets or other suitable means and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is a supporting frame 22. The motor is secured to the supporting frame at 24 and the ends of the vertical shaft 26 of the motor pass through vertically aligned apertures 28in the upper portion of the supporting frame 22 and in the base 2. 14. The reference numeral 30 represents a piece of spring metal secured to the base, the free end of which is adapted to press against the lower end of the vertical shaft 26 of the motor. A piece of oiled felt2 disposed between the free end of the spring metal piece 30 and the drive shaft of the motor acts as a wick to lubricate the bearing and spring.

The motor itself is comprised of an armature havingthree segments of pressed sheet metal held together by retaining clips 34 (Fig. 14) and having core windings 35 (Figs. 1 and2). The armature core is surrounded by an iron yoke 36 of new design having poles 38 and a winding etO. It is the yoke which is secured to the supporting frame, as previously indicated at 24, and which acts to hold the motor stationary.

The commutator 42 shown in Fig. 12 is comprised of threesegments of flat sheet copper 44- mounted on a round stiff piece of fiber or other insulation &6 by passing arms or integrah hook portions 47 of the segments through apertures 48' in the insulation and turningthem back. The turned back portions are connected in any suitable manner by wires to the armature windings 35. The brushes 49, which as shown in Fig. 15, are square carbon pieces, are mounted in brush holders 50, each formed of a single piece of stamped metal and secured to an arm 52 projecting from the'base portion 16.

The commutator is provided with a central aperture 54 through which passes the motor shaft 26. The commutator is secured to the shaft by any suitable means, and it will be noticed that the contacting faces of the commutator segments are in a horizontal plane at right angles to the motor shaft.

The motor is controlled by a switch which may be a double throw switch 56 and which is connectedto the motor by means of four wires or cables 58. As shown in cross section in F ig. 13, these wires pass through the base member 14 which is of insulating material.

The motor, as previously mentioned, is covered by the casing 10. This casing is secured-to a bracket 62 which is of two sections,

one of which is horizontal 6d, the other being normally vertical 66. These sections are hinged at 68 to permit the vertical sect-ion to swing upwardly for a purpose to be described later. The horizontal section of the bracket is provided with an aperture 70 through which the upper end of the motor shaft 26-passes loosely. The bracket and the casing 10 are thus supported by the supportingv frame 22. The bracket and easing, however. are free to rotate about the motor shaft. I The vertical sect-ion 66 of the bracket 62 is bent in U-shape to form a bearing for the driving shaft 8'for the toy 6. This shaft 8 passes through apertures at 72 and 74, said apertures acting as bearings. The end of the casing toward the toy is left open as at 76 for purpose to-be later described. The inner end of the driving shaft 8 is provided with a pulley wheel 78. This pulley wheel 78 is driven by the motor by means of a rubber band 80, or other flexible resilient means. which passesaround the pulley wheel. over rollers 82. and around the upper end of the motor shaft 26. This arrangement constitutes my novel universal drive. The-rollers 82 are rotatably mounted on an angled axle rod 84'. the ends of which are journalcd at 86 and 88 in apertures in the casing. and the central part of which rests on the horizontal portion of the section 66. being held in that position by the tension of the rubber baiulconnection 80.

It should be evident from the above that the motor is adapted to turn the driving shaft 8. As the driving shaft turns, it operates a driving mechanism within a toy connected therewith. This driving mechanism may vary in form depending on the type of toy employed. In the drawings three types of toys have been shown. In Figs. 3, 4:, Sand 5A areversible three-wheeled truck 120 is shown; in Figs. 6 and 7 a horse-drawn cart 90; and in Figs. 8 and 9, a toy tractor 92. It is to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to any particular type of toy, the three types shown serving only as examples.

These various toys are each provided with ashaft 9stand may be dctachably secured to the driving shaft 8 by means of a chuck 96 on the end of the driving shaft and shown in crosssection in 1. This chuck 96 is adapted to engage the notched end 98 of the shafts 94 of the various toys.

The form of toy illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5A is capable of turning around in its path on the outside of its trackof revolution when the motor is reversed. The truck 120 is supported by a frame 122. The rearof the frame is extended downwardly as at 12 1- andprovidedwith horizontal rear axle carry ng s ots 126. The rear axle 128 is capable of freely sliding in these slots for a purpose to be described later. I V

The front wheel130 is connected directly to the shaft 94. The shaft is rotatably supported by the vertical arm of an inverted L- shaped bracket 132. The horizontal arm 134 of the bracket is pivotally connected to the under side of the truck as at 136, immediately above the center of the wheel. The other end of the arm 134 is provided with an extension 138 which is used to guide the rear wheels as explained later.

Pivotally secured to the under side of the truck as at 140 is an L-shaped switching member 142. The horizontal arm of the switching member is provided with a yoke 144 which surrounds the extension 138 of the front wheel bracket. The vertical arm 146 extends downwardly to a position in front of the rear axle.

hen the truck is moving forward, the parts assume the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. When the motor is reversed, the front wheel is driven in the opposite direction, and the rear axle slides toward the front of the truck in the slots 126. However, the presence of the arm 146 prevents the inside end of the axle from moving as far as the outside end, and the rear axle and wheels then assume the position shown in Fig. 5. Thus the rear end of the truck turns outwardly until the front wheel passes the former position of the rear wheels when the new direction of rotation of the toy will permit the rear wheels to follow the front wheel.

While the truck is turning about the front wheel, the position of the bracket 132 changes with respect to the truck and the yoke 144. When the bracket has turned a little more than half way around, i. e. after the truck is in its outermost position, the extension 138 will engage the opposite side of the yoke and swing the end 146 to a position opposite the other end of the rear axle. This resets the steering means for the rear wheels so that upon subsequent reversal of the motor, the toy will again be capable of turning around.

Where the toy is of the walking variety, the necessary movements may be caused by the mechanism disclosed in Figs. 6 and 7 On the shaft 94 is mounted a gear wheel 100 which is adapted to drive gear wheels 102 and 104 either directly or through intermediate gear wheels 106. All these gear wheels are journaled in a frame 108 suitably secured within the toy. The gear wheels 102 and 104 are each mounted on axles on the opposite ends of which are rigidly secured discs 110 and 112. These discs are provided with offset pins 114 which are secured to the legs 116 of the toy. As the shaft 94 is turned, the discs are rotated so that they raise and lower the legs 116 of the toy and thereby cause the toy to simulate the walking movement. The same principle may be applied to a man or any other walking figure.

In the case of a wheeled toy, the same may be driven directly by having the shaft 94 aligned with one of tlga axles, or, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the shaft 94 may be connected with the wheels by a flexible band 118, chain, or other suitable connection.

In the toy illustrated, the shaft 94 passes through vertical slots 148 in the sides of the toy and is held against lateral movement by a wire ring 150 secured to the bottom of the toy as at 152 by a rivet or other means. The shaft 94 is grooved at the point 154 where the ring surrounds it, thus permitting rotation of the shaft but restricting lateral movement of the shaft. This permits the toy to adjust itself at all times to any unevenness in the floor.

As the toy is operated, it propels itself in a circular path about the axis of the motor. Since the casing 10 and the bracket 62 are rotatably mounted with respect to the m0- tor and the supporting frame 22, they are free to turn about the axis of the stationary motor as the toy moves forward.

A capstan 12 is secured to the top of the casing, and may be used to pull material on the floor with a piece of cord to run a suspension car, to lift a load in a crane, or to operate any other toy that requires great pull at low speed.

Where the device is mounted on a flat surface and the switch islocated some distance from the motor, it will be necessary for the toy as it prescribes its circular path topass over the cable containing base portion 14. To facilitate this passage, this base portion, as shown in Fig. 13, is formed in the shape of an are. As the toy passes over this base portion, the shaft 8 will rise. As it does so it causes the vertical section 66 of the bracket 62 to swing upwardly on the pivot 68.

The open end 76 of the casing prevents interference with this upward movement. This open end also permits the ready replacement of the rubber band when necessary.

lVhile the device may be constructed in large dimensions, it is particularly adapted for a construction in which all the parts are light and small and the complete device may be easily and cheaply manufactured to sell at a low figure. For example, thecommutator shown in Fig. 12 may be no more than one inch in diameter and may be constructed by one stamping operation. I have noted that it is most advantageous in devices of this general class to provide a stationary motor and a toy which moves in a circular path thereabout. The novel universal connection described above is very simple'both in operation and to manufacture, and it operates very efficiently.-

Having now described my invent-ion, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A display device comprising, a motor, a

toy, single means connecting said motor and said toy to drive the toy and to guide it in a circular path around the motor, and reversing means on said toy to head the toy in the opposite direction when the motor is reversed.

2. A display device comprising a base, a stationary motor mounted on said base with its driving shaft in a vertical position, a casing surrounding the motor on three sides and supported above said base and motor and adapted for rotation about the axis of the motor, a toy provided with driving mechanism, a driving shaft connected at one end to said driving mechanism, the other end of said shaft passing through an opening in the casing and having a pulley wheel mounted thereon, and a resilient connection between said motor shaft and said pulley wheel to turn the driving shaft to cause the toy to prescribe a circular path about the motor.

3. A display device comprising a T-shaped base, a supporting frame mounted on said base, a stationary electric motor secured to said supporting frame, the axis of said motor being disposedin a vertical position, the upper end of said axis passing through an aperture in the supporting frame and the lower end being journaled in said base, a bracket loosely mounted on said axis and supported by the sup 'iorting frame, a casing secured to said bracket and adapted to enclose the motor on three sides, a toy provided with a driving mechanism, a driving shaft one end of which is connected to the driving mechanism of the toy and the other end of which is journaled in apertures insaid bracket, a pulley wheel secured to the inner end of said driving shaft, and a flexible band passing about said pulley wheel and around the axis of the motor to turn the driving shaft to cause the toy, the driving shaft, and the casing to rotate about said motor axis as the toy moves.

4. In a display device having a motor with a vertical axis, a toy, a horizontal drive shaft for said toy, means connecting said motor and drive shaft to operate the toy, said means comprising, a pulley wheel on said driving shaft, a pair of rollers positioned above the pulley wheel, and an endless flexible band passing about said pulley wheel, over said rollers, and around the axis of the motor.

5. A display device comprising a base, a motor mounted stationary on said base, a toy provided with driving mechanism, a driving shaft connected with said driving mechanism, said toy and said driving shaft being mounted for rotation about said motor, and means connecting said motor and driving shaft to turn the latter to cause the toy to prescribe a circular path about said motor, said toy having reversing means to turn the toy about when the motor is reversed.

6. A display device comprising, a motor, a three wheeled toy, means connecting said motor and said toy to drive the toy and to guide it in a circular path around the motor, and reversing means in said toy to head the toy in the opposite direction when the motor is reversed, said means including a pivoted bracket in which one of the wheels of said toy is mounted, and a pivoted member controlled by movement of said bracket for changing the position of the axle of the other two wheels.

7. In a display device comprising a motor driven toy controlled to travel in a circular path, reversing means on said toy to head the toy in the opposite direction when the motor is reversed.

8. A display device comprising a support, a motor mounted stationary in said support with its axis in a vertical position, a casing surrounding said motor and mounted on said support for rotation about said vertical axis, a toy provided with driving mechanism, a driving shaft connected-with said driving mechanism, said toy and said driving shaft being mounted for rotation about said motor, and means connecting said motor and driving shaft to turn the latter to cause the toy to prescribe a circular path about said n'iotor, and to turn said casing about said motor axis.

9. A display device comprising a lixed motor, a rotatably mounted casing surrounding said motor on three sides, a toy provided with driving means, a shaft extending through the open side of said casing and conncctcd to said driving means, means within the casing for imparting movement to said shaft from said motor for driving said toy in a circular path about said motor.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my signature.

JOSEPH JULES CRAIG. 

